Clippable Portable Tissue Dispenser

ABSTRACT

A portable tissue dispenser having a clip which provides a convenient means for users to have a supply of tissues readily available on their person, or attached to other nearby locations like purses, backpacks, desks, wheelchairs, and the like. The clip may be rotatable into a desired orientation, and the dispenser may include a means for preventing “fallback” of tissues into the dispenser when few tissues remain to be dispensed. Other embodiments are disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of disposable paper facial tissues as a hygienic substitute for the traditional handkerchief has been known since the 1930s, but having a supply of tissues readily available in a portable format that is as convenient as the handkerchief they replaced has proven to be an elusive goal. Existing “pocket-packs” of facial tissue usually consist of smaller than full-size tissues in a thin flexible plastic overwrap that can be easily torn or crushed, exposing the tissues to soiling, crumpling or tearing in the pocket or purse, particularly when few tissues remain in the pack. Such disposable packaging is not intended to be refillable, and unlike full-size tissue boxes that may feature printed designs, it lacks aesthetic appeal. Even a more rigid cardboard container, similar to those used for full-sized tissue boxes in the home and office, can be crushed and deformed when carried in the interior of a student's backpack, a purse, or an automobile. A rigid container strong enough to protect the tissues would however likely be uncomfortable if carried in a pocket, and as with full-size tissue boxes, the known problem of “fall back” of the tissue into the container when few tissues remain to be dispensed must be addressed. A need therefore exists in the art for a durable, refillable and readily accessible facial tissue dispenser that can be carried conveniently, that can feature decorative graphics or attractive case materials, and which reliably protects and dispenses tissues when only a few remain in the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the latch side of a tissue dispenser with the case lid open and the clip assembly rotated parallel to the long axis of the case, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clip side of a tissue dispenser with the case lid latched depicting the clip assembly rotated parallel to the short axis of the case, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 of the case lid and hinge side of a tissue dispenser with the case lid latched and depicting the clip assembly rotated parallel to the short axis of the case, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view along the line IV-IV of FIG. 1 showing the lift plate in a raised position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view along the line IV-IV of FIG. 1 showing the lift plate in a partially lowered position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a tissue dispenser with the case lid open and the clip assembly rotated parallel to the short axis of the case, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the latch side of a tissue dispenser with the case lid open, and depicting another case lid latching means, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The clip is not visible in this perspective.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   100 Case -   110 Case box -   112 Catch rail -   114 Lift plate guides -   120 Lifter spring track -   122 Lifter spring track rail -   130 Case lid -   132 Dispensing aperture -   134 Case lid hinge -   136 Case lid rim -   138 Snap ridge -   140 Case lid front -   142 Case lid latch -   144 Recess -   150 Lift plate assembly -   160 Lift plate -   162 Guide notches -   170 Lifter spring -   172 Lifter spring tabs -   180 Lifter spring fasteners -   190 Clip assembly -   200 Clip hub -   202 Clip mount bracket -   204 Clip -   206 Clip spring -   208 Clip hinge pin

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the latch side of a tissue dispenser in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Facial tissues may be stored in a case box 110 having a case lid 130 and case lid front 140 attached to the case box 110 by a case lid hinge 134. In a preferred embodiment, the case lid hinge 134 may be formed as a living hinge integral to the case lid 130 and case box 110 for ease of manufacture. A case lid latch 142 and catch rail 112 may be formed in the case lid front 140 and case box 110, respectively, as an integral snap closure for the dispenser. An alternative snap closure latching means is shown in FIG. 7. Magnetic, hook-and-loop (e.g. Velcro), snap, or other mechanical closures may also be used. A dispensing aperture 132 in the case lid 130 provides access to the tissues when the dispenser is closed. A clip assembly 190 may be mounted on the dispenser, and configured to be rotatable into a desired orientation. The rotation of the clip assembly 190 may be configured to be continuously adjustable, or provided with detents for retaining the clip assembly in a desired orientation. Alternatively, the clip assembly 190 may be mounted in a fixed orientation, preferably parallel to the sides of the case box 110. In a preferred embodiment, the case box 110, case lid 130, case lid front 140, case lid hinge 134, case lid latch 142, and catch rail 112 are molded as a unit from a suitable rigid material, such as plastic. The dispensing aperture 132 may be molded into the case lid top in the same molding operation.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clip side of a tissue dispenser, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, depicting the case lid 130 closed, the integral snap closure formed by the case lid latch 142 and catch rail 112 snapped shut, and the clip assembly 190 configured parallel to the short axis of the case. The clip assembly 190 provides a convenient means for attaching the tissue dispenser to such locations as purse straps, belts, student backpacks, automobile sun visors, pockets, among other locations, in a manner similar to personal electronic devices like cell phones, PDAs, or pagers. The clip assembly can be made of metal or plastic, or a suitable combination thereof.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 of the case lid and hinge side of a tissue dispenser in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, depicting the case lid 130 closed, and the clip assembly 190 configured parallel to the short axis of the case. A dispensing aperture 132 formed into the case lid 130 provides access to facial tissues stored within the case box 110. In a preferred embodiment, a lift plate 160 supports the tissues within the case box 110 and may be slidably configured to move along lift plate guides 114 and to bias the remaining tissues towards the dispensing aperture 132 as the tissue nearest the dispensing aperture 132 is dispensed by the user. In a preferred embodiment, lift plate guides 114 are molded into the interior walls of the case box 110 proximate to the corners thereof, and engage corresponding guide notches 162 in the lift plate 160, stabilizing and guiding movement of the lift plate 160. The lift plate can be formed from any suitable rigid material, and in a preferred embodiment is made of plastic. The lifter spring can be formed from any suitable resilient flexible material, preferably metal.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view along the line IV-IV of FIG. 1 showing the case lid 130 open and the lift plate 160 in a raised position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The lift plate 160 may be supported by a lifter spring 170. In a preferred embodiment, the lifter spring is an arcuate flat spring attached to the lift plate 160 by fasteners 180, which may be rivets or other suitable attachment means. The ends of the arcuate lifter spring 170 in a preferred embodiment may be configured to engage a track 120 formed from rails 122 molded into the interior of the case box 110. Alternatively, a coiled or spiral spring may be used to support the lift plate 160, without the need for such rails. The lift plate 160 supports the tissues within the case box 110, and biases the remaining tissues in the direction of the dispensing aperture 132 as the tissue nearest the dispensing aperture 132 is dispensed by the user. In a preferred embodiment, lift plate guides 114 are molded into the interior walls of the case box proximate to the corners thereof, to stabilize and guide the movement of the lift plate 160. The configuration as shown corresponds to an empty dispenser awaiting the insertion of a supply of tissues.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view along the line IV-IV of FIG. 1 showing the case lid 130 open and the lift plate 160 in a partially lowered position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. To load the dispenser, the case lid 130 is opened and tissues are placed atop the lift plate 160, the lifter spring 170 is compressed by the user pressing down on the tissues atop the lift plate, and the case lid 130 is then closed and latched by the user. In a preferred embodiment, the arcuate lifter spring 170 becomes flatter as it is compressed, and the ends of the lifter spring 170 slide outwardly along the lifter spring track 120 formed by the rails 122 molded into the interior of the case box 110. In a preferred embodiment, the lifter spring rails 122 have an “L”-shaped cross section which is configured to cooperate with tabs or pins (shown in FIG. 6) located at the ends of the lifter spring 170.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a tissue dispenser in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. A lift plate assembly 150 comprises a lift plate 160, and lifter spring 170, which is attached to the lift plate 160 with suitable fasteners 180, such as rivets. In a preferred embodiment, the lifter spring 170 is an arcuate flat spring with pairs of tabs 172 located at both ends, which are configured to slide within tracks (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) molded into the interior of the case box 110. In a preferred embodiment, the lift plate 160 comprises a set of guide notches 162, which are configured to cooperate with lift plate guides (shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5) molded into the interior walls of the case box 110 proximate to the corners thereof, so as to stabilize and guide the movement of the lift plate 160. The lift plate 160 in a preferred embodiment supports the tissues within the case box 110 and serves to bias the remaining tissues towards the dispensing aperture 132 as the tissue nearest the dispensing aperture 132 is dispensed by the user. The lift plate assembly 150 is intended to prevent “fallback” of the tissues into the dispenser when few tissues remain to be dispensed, thus ensuring tissues are easily accessible to the user. The lift plate assembly 150 is mounted within the case 100, which comprises a case box 110, and a case lid 130, joined to the case box 110 by a case lid hinge 134. In a preferred embodiment, the case lid hinge 134 may be formed as a living hinge integral to the case lid 130 and case box 110 for ease of manufacture. In a preferred embodiment, a case lid latch 142 and catch rail 112 may be formed in the case lid front 140 and case box 110, respectively, as an integral snap closure for the dispenser. The case lid top comprises a dispensing aperture 132, through which tissues may be dispensed by the user. A clip assembly 190 comprising a clip hub 200, a clip mount bracket 202, a clip 204, a clip spring 206, and a clip hinge pin 208, may be mounted on the case box 110, and configured to be rotatable into a desired orientation. The clip assembly 190 provides a convenient means for tissue users to have the dispenser and its supply of clean, fresh tissues readily available on their person, or attached to accessories like purses, backpacks, and the like. Students or their teachers may clip the dispenser to their desk or pocket, so as to have a tissue handy to help prevent spreading disease in the classroom setting. Senior citizens with limited mobility may clip the dispenser to a walker or wheelchair, or otherwise keep the dispenser clipped nearby to minimize the necessity of getting up to get a tissue. Young children can clip on the dispenser to keep a supply of tissue handy to deal with sneezes and runny noses, and the exterior of the case 100 may feature imprinted graphic designs of their favorite characters. Likewise, the exterior of the case 100 can be molded with textures, laminated with attractive materials, or imprinted with graphics to provide an appealing design for other users.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the latch side of a tissue dispenser with the case lid open, and depicting another case lid latching means, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The clip is not visible in this perspective. The case lid 130 may be configured with a case lid rim 136 having snap ridges 138 which correspond to and interact with snap ridges 138 on the interior walls of the case box 110, such that when the case lid 130 is closed, the case lid rim 136 fits snugly inside the case box 110, and the snap ridges 138 engage with each other to latch the case lid 130. The case lid 130 may be reopened with the user's finger by prying at the edge of the case lid 130, and a designated recess 144 may be provided for this purpose. Also as shown in this view, the case box 110 and case lid 130 may have rounded sides or radius edges for the comfort of the user.

Although the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain specific presently preferred embodiments, the given embodiments should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but as illustrative examples, and those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will undoubtedly find alternative embodiments obvious after reading this disclosure. 

1. A portable, clippable tissue dispenser, comprising: a case box configured for holding a supply of tissues; a case box lid comprising a dispensing aperture, said case box lid configured to reversibly open and close said case box to permit filling of said case box with tissues, said dispensing aperture configured to permit dispensing of tissues from said case box without opening said case box lid; and at least one clip externally mounted to said case box opposite to said dispensing aperture of said case box lid.
 2. The tissue dispenser as in claim 1, wherein the case box lid is attached to the case box by a hinge, and the case box and case box lid further comprise a means for cooperatively and reversibly fixing the case box lid in a closed position.
 3. The tissue dispenser as in claim 1, further comprising a means for biasing a supply of tissues within the case box in the direction of the dispensing aperture of the closed case box lid.
 4. The tissue dispenser as in claim 1, wherein the at least one clip comprises a single clip rotatably mounted to the case box.
 5. The tissue dispenser as in claim 2, further comprising a means for biasing a supply of tissues within the case box in the direction of the dispensing aperture of the closed case box lid.
 6. The tissue dispenser as in claim 2, wherein the at least one clip comprises a single clip rotatably mounted to the case box.
 7. The tissue dispenser as in claim 5, wherein the at least one clip comprises a single clip rotatably mounted to the case box.
 8. The tissue dispenser as in claim 7, wherein the means for biasing a supply of tissues within the case box comprises a lift plate urged by at least one compressible member.
 9. The tissue dispenser as in claim 7, wherein the single clip rotatably mounted to the case box further comprises a means for reversibly fixing the rotation of the clip in at least one predetermined position.
 10. The tissue dispenser as in claim 8, wherein the single clip rotatably mounted to the case box further comprises a means for reversibly fixing the rotation of the clip in at least one predetermined position.
 11. A portable, clippable tissue dispenser, comprising; a case box comprising a plurality of sides substantially enclosing an interior space having a volume sufficient to hold a supply of tissues, each of said sides comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface, said plurality of sides forming an opening permitting access to said interior space, said opening located opposite to one of said plurality of sides; a case box lid comprising a dispensing aperture, said case box lid reversibly covering said opening in said case box, said dispensing aperture providing access to said interior space of said case box when said case box lid is covering said opening in said case box; and at least one clip mounted to said exterior surface of said side of said case box opposite to said opening in said case box.
 12. The tissue dispenser as in claim 11, wherein the case box lid is attached to the case box by a hinge, and the case box and case box lid further comprise a means for cooperatively and reversibly fixing the case box lid in a closed position.
 13. The tissue dispenser as in claim 11, further comprising a means for biasing a supply of tissues within the case box in the direction of the dispensing aperture of the closed case box lid.
 14. The tissue dispenser as in claim 11, wherein the at least one clip comprises a single clip rotatably mounted to the case box.
 15. The tissue dispenser as in claim 12, further comprising a means for biasing a supply of tissues within the case box in the direction of the dispensing aperture of the closed case box lid.
 16. The tissue dispenser as in claim 12, wherein the at least one clip comprises a single clip rotatably mounted to the case box.
 17. The tissue dispenser as in claim 15, wherein the at least one clip comprises a single clip rotatably mounted to the case box.
 18. The tissue dispenser as in claim 17, wherein the means for biasing a supply of tissues within the case box comprises a lift plate urged by at least one compressible member.
 19. The tissue dispenser as in claim 17, wherein the single clip rotatably mounted to the case box further comprises a means for reversibly fixing the rotation of the clip in at least one predetermined position.
 20. The tissue dispenser as in claim 18, wherein the single clip rotatably mounted to the case box further comprises a means for reversibly fixing the rotation of the clip in at least one predetermined position. 